New England Patriots: 5 Players Who Must Step Up for 2012 NFL Playoff Run

The New England Patriots earned the AFC's No. 1 overall seed, and will be favored in every game they play from here to the Super Bowl. They are far from perfect, though, just like every team in the playoffs.

They have gotten by without much support from their defense, but it would be foolish to think that they're content with the production they're getting on that side of the ball. If it wins games, that's all that matters, but can that formula prove successful in the playoffs?

We have yet to learn the answer to that question, but these are some players the Patriots should really hope to get bigger performances from in the playoffs.

Stevan Ridley

The rookie back has averaged 5.1 YPA on the 2011 season in limited work, carrying the ball just 87 times in the regular season.

It didn't take long for him to show his high ceiling, with a slashing, downhill running style that the Patriots haven't seen in awhile. He has flashed brilliance all season long, but has really turned it on in recent weeks. He gave them a lofty 5.4 YPA against the Bills, and although he won't see run defenses that bad in the playoffs, he's fared well against some good run defenses in Denver (5.9  YPA) and Miami (4.9) late in the season.

And if BenJarvus Green-Ellis is any level of seriously-injured headed into the playoff game, the Patriots will need all they can get out of the rookie. Tom Brady can take the offense far, but they will need to be able to count on getting a yard or two on the ground if they need it. They were also 9-2 when rushing for over 100 yards.

Nate Solder

Sebastian Vollmer hasn't played a game since Week 11 against the Eagles, and the Patriots have moved on without him. Rookie Nate Solder, drafted as a left tackle, has started 13 games this season, and has played in all 16. He has started four of the past five games there, and slid to left tackle when Matt Light was out against the Dolphins.

On the season, Solder has allowed just three sacks and four pressures on 880 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He has also committed just five penalties. For a rookie, those numbers are astounding.

New England has seen some dynamic pass-rushers this season, but haven't faced the caliber of defense that teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans bring to the table. Those are defenses that know how to get after the quarterback, and it will take top-notch protection from Solder to ensure that doesn't happen.

It has, after all, been the determining factor in all three of New England's most recent playoff games, all three of which were losses—not that New England fans need the reminder.

Brandon Deaderick

As the Patriots have sought answers to the Andre Carter injury, Brandon Deaderick has been one option explored. He has played extensive snaps at right defensive end, even getting the start there this past week against the Bills. 

The second-year player has started five games this year, playing in 10. Those numbers could have been higher, as he spent the first six weeks of the season on the PUP list. Two other numbers that could have been higher were his 17 tackles and two sacks.

Deaderick has the unenviable task of replacing Carter's 10 sacks, and the Patriots will have to find innovative ways to manufacture pressure in his absence. Chief among his roles, however, will be gap discipline. Carter was underrated in run defense, and Deaderick will be relied upon to keep those holes clogged.

Devin McCourty

Whether McCourty is at safety or cornerback to start the first playoff game, he must step up. He gave up 1,004 yards in coverage in 2011, according to Pro Football Focus, and the Patriots put him at safety to finish the game against the Bills.

He has made an increasing number of plays on the ball over the past few weeks, and grabbed his first pick of the season against the Dolphins. He's still been getting burned at times, but he had a right-place-at-the-right-time interception against the Bills while playing safety. He looked solid as a read-and-react safety, but it's not hard to look better than he did at cornerback by contrast.

His appearance at safety may have been a one-time thing, but he makes the list regardless.

Jerod Mayo

Mayo silenced the critics (myself included) who said he didn't make enough "big plays" when he grabbed his first career interception against the Colts. He took it one step further when he grabbed his second career interception on the final offensive possession for the Redskins, inside the red zone, the very next week.

But Mayo has more big-game experience than anyone on the roster not named Vince Wilfork, and will be counted on to make big plays on the much bigger stage in the postseason. He should draw on that experience in this year's playoffs, but not too deeply—his first two playoff games were both losses.

Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda and Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter.